Rich, Dexter and I were privileged to see Jordi Savall and Hespèrion XXI again last night, this time as part of the York Early Music Festival, and broadcast live on BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show.
Hespèrion XXI’s mesmerizing programme – Kalenda Maya, a dialogue of souls – began with the piece, Alba, from thier 2006 collection, Orient-Occident. Right from the opening notes the six musicians created an amazing evocative soundscape. The set of folias and dances from palaces and desert brought twelfth and thirteen century Spain’s fusion of music and cultures to life. Just for the evening I was there, in the Castellón market. We were immersed in a melting pot of cultures, North African, Byzantine, Mediterranean. The duelling percussion break was a joy and at the end of the show, after a couple of standing ovations and encores we came back to the present day for Jordi’s gentle homage to peace and harmony for the Syrian people.
Rich took these photos, click on an image to enlarge
Last time we saw Jordi play – Les Voix Humaines at Salisbury International Arts Festival – Rich took some beautiful photos which have subsequently been published in the July edition of Poland’s Music in the City Magazine – „Muzyka w Mieście”.
Hespèrion XXI : Jordi Savall – director, rebab, lira, Moslem Rahal – ney, Hakan Gungor – kanun, Dmitiri Psonis – santaur, moresca, Yurdal Tokan – oud, Fahrettin Yarkin – percussion.
Rich & Lou Duffy-Howard 2014 Visit our website
